British Comedy Guide
The Vital Spark. Image shows from L to R: Para Handy (Roddy McMillan), Dan McPhail (John Grieve), Dougie (Walter Carr), Sunny Jim (Alex McAvoy). Copyright: BBC
The Vital Spark

The Vital Spark

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1965 - 1974
  • 21 episodes (3 series)

Captain Para Handy steers his famous puffer, the Vital Spark, up and down the Clyde, together with his motley crew. Stars Roddy McMillan, John Grieve, Walter Carr and Alex McAvoy.

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The Vital Spark. Image shows from L to R: Para Handy (Roddy McMillan), Dan McPhail (John Grieve), Dougie (Walter Carr), Sunny Jim (Alex McAvoy). Copyright: BBC

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
1965 - 1974
Channel
BBC 1
Episodes
21 (1 pilot + 3 series)
Stars
Roddy McMillan, John Grieve, Walter Carr and Alex McAvoy
Writer
Bill Craig
Producer
Pharic Maclaren
Company

More adventures with the Scottish sailors. The crew of the Vital Spark have to deal not only with the regular hardships of their life but also with a decade unsympathetic to their existence.

Additional details

Part of

Comedy Playhouse

Also known as
  • Para Handy
Production
Studio
Picture
Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Thursday 12th August 1965 at 8:50pm on BBC One
All previous repeats
  • Monday 14th December 2015 at 10:00pm on BBC2 Scot - Series 1, Episode 1

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